Conservative activists are speaking out against a Romney spot on the GOP ticket.

(CNN) – Conservative leader Paul Weyrich – who endorsed Mitt Romney’s presidential bid – has signed on to an open letter from more than two dozen movement activists to John McCain warning him not to select the former Massachusetts governor as his VP pick if he expects their support.

"If Governor Romney is on your ticket, many social conservative voters will consider their values repudiated by the Republican Party and either stay away from the polls this November or only vote down the ticket,” they write in a message posted online by a political action committee called “Government is Not God.”

The letter – topped by the headline “NO Mitt” - will run as a print ad in cities visited by McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, beginning with his Arizona stop this weekend.

The group includes supporters of Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee like activists Gary Glenn and Janet Folger, along with conservatives who have long criticized Romney for his past stands on issues like abortion.

Weyrich endorsed Huckabee after Romney left the race. The activist’s opposition to the former governor marks a complete reversal from his position as recently as last month, when he told the National Journal that McCain was unlikely to select Romney as his running mate – but that he should.

"If he selects somebody bad from our point of view, it's going to be very difficult," he told the magazine. "It will reinforce prejudice against him. If he selects somebody pretty good, it'll be moderately helpful.... It would help if he selected Mitt Romney, but he won't."

soundoff(106 Responses)

TJS

P, good question. So far there isn't a choice. 1st time in years that I probably won't vote, unless I vote for someone just to be against the other one.

April 4, 2008 04:04 pm at 4:04 pm |

liz

I love Huckabee!! I think he's the only hope McCain has. Remember - everyone agreed that Mike was Likeable - and that's what the McCain ticket needs - a likeable candidate on the ticket. Romney spells disaster for the GOP. He is simply not likeable, and not trustworthy - he'll say anything to get elected. He is not someone we can trust. Unlike Mike - who's ethical, smart, conservative, a wonderful executive officer - just check his record in Ark. He improved the roads, the schools and modernized the state - Go Mike!! If McCain is smart he'll choose Mike - after all, Mike won all the RED states!!!

April 4, 2008 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |

JG, Seattle WA

As a Republican (who despises the extreme right and christian coalition that our party continually caters to), I hope McCain will just pick the best woman or man for the job, rather than trying to appease any of these special interests. No more catering to small, vocal minorities of the population. Do what's best for America.

April 4, 2008 04:11 pm at 4:11 pm |

Mohammad, LA CA

As a democrat, I'm really hoping he picks Romney. Romney is the John Kerry of the Republican party...he's such a flip flopper it will be far too easy for the Democrats to skewer him alive...and with Mccain, who also flip flops, it'll pretty much be a no brainer for the democrats.

But I'm pretty sure he is going to pick the florida governor (crist)..it seems logical.

April 4, 2008 04:12 pm at 4:12 pm |

INDY PENDENT

Daniel Daniel Daniel,
Son you seem to have a deep seated hate for Mormons.
Are you really Mike Huckabee? Come on you can tell us Mike.
Mormons aren't like you so they must be evil or strange.
What happened to you where you feel you must demean something that someone else feels is sacred to them.
Do you also make fun of the Jewish Yamaka?
Perhaps the Muslim Head Scarfs?
Sounds like someone else is brainwashed to me.
I feel sorry for you child. I hope you get the help you so obviously need and cry out for.

By the way Romney would have been a better Pres then a Vice Pres.
But McCain needs someone like Romney on his side to get this Economy back where it needs to be. McCain is clueless about the Economy, so who better to have then someone who understands the Buisness World.

April 4, 2008 04:16 pm at 4:16 pm |

Linda, from Ohio

I think McCain should pick Joe Leiberman to be his V.P. He could pick the moderate Democrats and the Jewish vote as well. Joe Leiberman is a man who can work across the aisle as well as McCain. Truly what we need are people who can work together to get things accomplished. We have had enough of party bickering. That's why our country is in the shape it's in. Nothing gets accomplished while they are bickering and fighting.